The Family Tree Child Development Center at Phoebe is excited to announce they have been awarded an $80,000 grant from Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning and the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement. The state-funded grant is geared towards implementation of strong language and literacy instructions in infant and toddler classrooms.
 
“We are so grateful to be receiving this grant funding. Children are our future and early literacy is vital to every child’s success.  This money will give our infant and toddler teachers the opportunity to increase their knowledge and skills needed to help develop critical early language and literacy skills,” said Lisa Kingry, director, The Family Tree.
 
The Family Tree is one of 16 early learning centers across the state awarded the grant and one of only three south of Macon. This is the first time the state has committed significant funds targeting infants and toddlers. According to Amy M. Jacobs, DECAL Commissioner, this effort advances the Governor’s goal that every child in Georgia reads on grade level by the end of third grade. Grant funding will provide infant and toddler teachers with coaching and professional development on building early literacy skills.
 
The program at The Family Tree is Quality Rated through Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. By participating in Georgia’s voluntary Quality Rated program, facilities make a commitment to work continuously to improve the quality of child care they provide to children and families. In 2016, the center was awarded three stars – the highest star quality rating.